3D printer and bird toys

[iamwhoiam]

Anyone have a 3D printer and, if so, have you used it to make toys or other items for your birds? How bird safe are the materials used and does the printer create any kind of chemical output or other output that is bad for our birds?
If you have done this, can you post photos or tell us what you have created.

 

[Jan]

Haven't the foggiest idea on how safe ... we don't have a 3d printer.

 

[rocky'smom]

me either

 

[Mizzely]

No, but I ran across this listing: 30 Fun, Easy 3D Printed Pet Toys & Accessories | All3DP

Most of them say they are "safe" as long as they aren't being chewed on. So I am thinking no :/

 

[janicedyh]

Hummm, I really don't know much about 3D printing and the specific chemicals used. My 12 year old grandson under supervision made a prosthetic hand (he is a genius : ) ). I know the main reason he was supervised was the chemicals used. I tried looking it up but only came up with sites that sell the chemicals 3D Printing Supplies - Products | MG Chemicals
Is 3D Printing Safe? 3D Printer Safety - 3D Printing Materials safety

 

[iamwhoiam]

This is what I found:
"bird toys" 3D Models to Print - yeggi

I thought it would be fun but wouldn't want to take a chance if the products are harmful.

 

[janicedyh]

If its safe its really cool

 

[iamwhoiam]

I've been reading more and it's possible that the fumes produced can be toxic so I will pass.

 

[Dartman]

It's highly possible once the plastic is cured it is safe as far as fumes but I have no clue if the plastic used is safe to chew.

 

[Newbie GCC]

I found this article. It does include a "safe" ink at the bottom of the article as well as a suggestion for stainless steel nozzles for the printer. Not sure how safe it would be for birds though.
10 things you need to know about 3D printing & food safety |

 

[iamwhoiam]

I found this article. It does include a "safe" ink at the bottom of the article as well as a suggestion for stainless steel nozzles for the printer. Not sure how safe it would be for birds though.
10 things you need to know about 3D printing & food safety |

Thanks. I've decided to skip the 3D printing although it sounds like it would be fun. I'll just make toys out of wood, leather, hemp, sisal and safe plastics or buy toys.

 

[Dartman]

If you think you could have fun and use a 3d printer go for it, just don't make bird toys with it or use it in the same room as your bird. I'd like to have one someday as I can see uses for it making small parts for my cars that break and toys and just cool things. I'd bet if they haven't eventually somebody will come up with critter safe plastics for them, I haven't looked at all the links posted yet though.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Nowhere to "hide" the printer except bathrooms and the garage. There are birds in every room. I want a larger home but cost of homes here is very high unless I want to move way out somewhere and even then they are pricey.

 

[iamwhoiam]

I'm looking into getting one again.
Monoprice MP Mini Delta 3D Printer
This model is not available yet but some people have received it already and are very positive about it.

I'd like to make bird toys with it but also want to use it to create 3d jewelry pieces that I would create molds from so that I can create wax models to use for lost wax casting.
Like this:
Silver Jewelry From 3D Printed Molds: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

 

[TikiMyn]

3D printers really make me go it would be so awesome if we could make bird toys with them! Oh the possibilities

 

[LilSprout]

I read once about 3D printing edible objects using filaments made of edible materials and it had different tastes to the objects as well

Maybe if in the future people came up with some kind of 3D printing stuff that used 100% parrot safe vegetable materials we would be able to being making parrot toys. Also apparently when 3D printing food it's harder to make more defined shapes than if you're doing it with plastic so we would have toy blobs to start out with.

 

[iamwhoiam]

I read once about 3D printing edible objects using filaments made of edible materials and it had different tastes to the objects as well

Maybe if in the future people came up with some kind of 3D printing stuff that used 100% parrot safe vegetable materials we would be able to being making parrot toys. Also apparently when 3D printing food it's harder to make more defined shapes than if you're doing it with plastic so we would have toy blobs to start out with.

I think that would work well for cake decorations and candies.
There are some youtubes as well as websites I found with info about making bird toys.

 

[karen256]

What I've read is there are 2 main options for 3d printers.
One prints in cornstarch-based plastic, so the printed items do deteriorate over time, but would be safe for birds (they are used to print food containers among other things). They also are supposed to smell like waffles when printing.
There are also ones that print in hard ABS plastic similar to what legos are made from, and they produce harmful fumes when printing. But if you keep the printer out in the garage or basement or something it would probably be ok. The finished printed plastic is probably safe, since it's used for childrens' toys... but I don't know for sure.

 

[iamwhoiam]

What I've read is there are 2 main options for 3d printers.
One prints in cornstarch, so the printed items do deteriorate over time, but would be safe for birds. They also are supposed to smell like waffles when printing (no bad fumes).
There are also ones that print in hard ABS plastic similar to what legos are made from, and they produce harmful fumes when printing. But if you keep the printer out in the garage or basement or something it would probably be ok. The finished printed plastic is probably safe, since it's used for childrens' toys... but I don't know for sure.

Thanks for the info. I've been reading more and have read that some of them have teflon coating and when it heats up it creates fumes. Also many of the nozzles put out lead although you can get stainless steel nozzles which would be safe to use. Then I read this:
"The lab tests showed that ABS is significantly more toxic than PLA, but that the corn-based polymer is not exempt form dangerous emissions, especially if extruded at temperatures higher than 200°C. Furthermore (as may be expected), the same material spools, when acquired from different resellers, release very different quantities of VOCs, even if used in the same 3D printer and under the same parameters of speed and temperature."
I think I'm going to pass on this again and wait until they have safer materials.

 

[Jan]

Anyone have a 3D printer and, if so, have you used it to make toys or other items for your birds? How bird safe are the materials used and does the printer create any kind of chemical output or other output that is bad for our birds?
If you have done this, can you post photos or tell us what you have created.

Yes, don't have one near or around birds and I would not print out anything bird toy related.